Motel 6 Explosion in Providence Kills 11, injures 4

(Picture of twisted building wreckage with the Motel 6 sign listing pretty heavily)

AP - Providence RI

An powerful natural gas explosion ripped through Motel 6 in northern Providence, Rhode Island, killing 11, and leaving officials digging through the wreckage for victims and clues as to the cause. Rescuers and firemen dug through rubble to get to 6 people who had been buried in the collapsed structure. Of those, 1 was declared dead at the scene and another was pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital. The other 4 were listed in serious to critical condition.

Crews worked through the day to unearth other victims, all hotel guests and employees who had been in the building when the blast went off around 7:12 am. A spokesman for the chain indicated that there had been 12 guests and 5 motel staff in the premises at the time of the blast. Two groundskeepers for the local chain escaped harm as debris broke glass and pelted their truck with a shower of wallboard, masonry, and twisted metal.

Fire officials in Providence would not comment on specifics of the case, but confirmed that the source of the explosion was in a utility access room on the first floor. The building was constructed in the late 1980's and had recently underwent extensive remodelling. When asked if the blast and the renovations were connected, the spokesman declined comment, citing the ongoing investigation.